Rotary gas-engine.



H. FUTTINGER.

ROTARY GAS ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, l9l4- RENEWED JAN. 11. I918- l, 256,674. Patented Fb. 19, 1918.

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Witnesses v 11n'\'/entorv WW wgwiwa xwk PM u. F5TTINGER. ROTARY GAS ENGINE.

APPLlCATION FILED NOV. 13 I914. RENEWED .IAN. H, 1918. 1,2565%4. Patented Feb.19,1918.

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InvehtOr Wwy I Witnesses a H. F'OTTINGER.

. ROTARY GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13. I914. RENEWED JAN. 11.1918.

L fififima Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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Witnesws H. FD TTINGER.

ROTARY GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. l3, I914. RENEWED IAN. H. 1918- Patented Feb. 19,1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.'

Witnesses Y imrrnn s'rarns M Application filed November 13, 1914, Serial No. 871,980. Renewed zig, in Germany,

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- .The object of @FFTQE.

:annmum rorrmenn, or zorro'r, NEAR nnnzre, (ima I BOflABY GAS-ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known thatI, HnRMAum Forrmenn, a Subject of the King of Ba aria, residing at No. 13 Baedeckerweg, Zoppot, near Dan-- have invented new and useful Improvements in Rotary Gas-Em the following is a specifica- The invention relates to rotary gas engines of the", turbine type in which an auxa construction in which the thecombustion gases will be utilized directly without its previous conversion into kinetic energy. or velocity, as is customary in known apparatus.

This object is attained by so devising the circuit of the auxiliary or transmitting medium within stationary and rotary parts of locity which or fuel tobe burnt in the engme'may combustion chamber,

the, engine, that the generation of the driv ing medium'can take place in a rotating whereupon the gases are introduced into the rotary part of the circuit under high pressure and with a veapproximates that of the aux- 1l1ary fluid circulating in the same direction,

so that the energy of the gas is transmitted to the said fluid; the expansion of the mixture then actuating .the turbine.

It is understood that the driving medium be a permanent gas or a liquid combustible, such as hydro-carbons or the like. 7 In the accompanying drawings. forma part of this specification, several constructions embodying the invention are illustrated.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of the circuit.

- Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of a gas engine constructed in accordance with the invention. 1 Y v v Fig. 3 represents several diagrammatic sections of the curvedvanes and channels of difierent places of. the circuit shown in Fig. 2. J

Specification of Lee... Patent.

which I represents Patented Feb. 19;, was.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the peripheral summit of the circuit shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a the stationary guide-wheel of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectionof an engine having two circuits.

Fig. 7 is a partial cross-section of a modification of the engine, illustrating some de-' tails. I

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectlon of a modification of a channel.

Fig. 9 is a partial cross-section of the rotor represienting a modification of the combustion-c amber.

Fig. 10 is a vertical elevation of a. modified construction in which the circulating auxiliary liquid is constantly renewed or changed.

Fig. .11 re resents the side View of a s1m1- lar but multlple arrangement of the turbine.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic vertical longitudinalsection of a further modification of this multiple turbine.

vFig.. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section of a further modification of the turbine, of which Fig. on the broken dotted line A-B in Fig. Fig. 15 illustrates a side view and partial section of a combination of several turbines.

Figs.- 16 and 17 illustrate further details diagrammatic representation of longitudinal sectional 143 represents a partial cross-section January 11, 1918. Serial No. nin

and mod fications of the gas-turbine in vertical longitudinal sections of the engine.

Like numerals denote like parts throughout all figures of the drawing.

In order to explain the principle and the operation of the new engine, reference 1s first had to the diagrammatic Fig. 1 wh ch as an example an axial sect1on of a as-turbine constructed and working according to the invention. 1-.-2-34 denote a rotor of the usual turbine type, hav1ng a series of blades or vanes secured to the mam shaft 7 said ide member 5-6, which can be firmly connected to the base or a casing which incloses the whole apparatus. The rotating member -14 and the guide member 5-6 provided with channels in which the fluid constantly circulates through -1- r j I 1 1n therein. 8 represents a combustion chamthe direction of the annulate arrows marked ber into which gas or oil and air are introduced under a high pressure.

Su posing the rotating-member part 14 and t e guide-member wheel '6 are filled with a liquid, e. 9. oil or water, and the rotor lie set in a quick rotation, then the liquid will be held in the channel section 2 to 3 at a high pressure which decreases considerably and gradually in the directionof 2 to 1 and 3 to 4. If the burnt and glowing gases from the combustion chamber 8,

which are.in'the form of bubbles, are now mixed at the part 3 with the stream of'the auxiliary liquid, the latter will carry the gas-bubbles toward 4, i. 6. into the region of erably larger than the volume'ol' the liquid alone which passes every second; that is to say, the velocity of the mixture (liquid and contained gas bubbles) increases, according as more gases are mixed in at the point 3.

This increase of the velocity :of the current toward 4 is due to the fact that owing to their expansion the burnt gases transmit ower to the liquid. It is well known that a liquid flowing -from outside inward in a suitable turbine-wheel exerts a driving impulse on this turbine-wheel in the same manner as in the case of the usual waterturbines. I

By suitably shaping the channels, the result can be obtained that the expanded burnt gases are driven out of the current of liquid near the point 4. escaping, for instance, through the holes 10, and then, for example, through slits between the single channels of the rotating-part in the direction of the arrows-10 to 11, out .of thev rotating-member part into the atmosphere or into an exhaust-- chamber or elsewhere. for exam le, into a second gas-engine of like or different construction.

- The supply of gas or oil and air can'be introduced, aftera prev1ous compression ina compressor of any sultable type, directlyinto the combustion-chamber 8. The engine hereinafter described may however be so constructed that the gaseous fuel with the help of the circulating auxiliary liquid itself is put under pressure and conveyed into the combustion .chamber S. For this purpose the gases, either separated or mixed, can

near the point 6 of the guide-wheel at a low pressure be mixed with the auxiliary liquid which carries them into the rotati-zg-part from 1 to 2; at the same time they are put under ,a high pressure and, given a suitable shapiiig of the channels, forced 1 into the combustionvchamber 8 at the point 2. Here- .sure, and with comparatively small periphin they are igpited by'any suitable means such as a spar ing plug 36 (Fig. 16)]01 inflame on the glowing walls of the chamber stant high pressure in a combustion-ch amber are'mixed with a liquid which flows 'contmu- 1 ally in the same direction with a compare tively small velocity and then, expand ng and transmitting power, are carried with the liquid through the turbine-like channels (from 3 to 4) of the rotating-member part and arefinally blown out ot-the liquid. *A's hereinbefore disclosed the combustible gases may be supplied under p'ressure,but such introductory compression may be dlspensed' with and the gases may beifi'troduced into the auxiliary liquid flowin outward (from 1 to 2) at the point 1 of the rotating-memher part; they arethen put under pressure by the rotating, liquid and conveyed into the combustion-chamber. When the combustion bubbles. This system renders it possible to utilize the expansion-power of the gases even at atmospheres of the combustion pres-'- eral velocity (150-160 m/sec.) in one single rotor. 4 v

In the'diagrammatically shown device of. Fig. 1 the auxiliary :liquid after havlng transmitted power to the rotating part 1, 2,

3, 4, owing to the effect of the burnt gases,

1s then conveyed immediately back into guide wheel -5 to 6 and from this into. the rotating part, thereby obtam ing'a suitable direction and velocity of current.

At the left of Fig. 3- are shown, in section perpendicular to the axle, the vanes of the inward-leading bran'ch3 to. 4. and. at the right are those of the goutward-leadingf 12 branch 1 to 2, while above in the middle a transverse section of the combustion chambers 0n the line ab of Fig-'4 is reprej sented; below the vanes of the guide-wheel are. representedin a perspective view; Fig. 1eo

no i

.low ring or emma .part of the liquid circulating in the circuit;

and-by means of a pump, an elevated tank, or by the sucking effect of the circulating stream bringing such diverted liquid back in a cooled condition. The introduction of the cool liquid takes place to best 'advantage near the axle of the rotating-member part or into the guide-member wheel through the channels 30 and 31 Fig. 2) and for the emission of a part of the hot liquid the packing between 6 and 1 serves best out of which a certain amount is permitted to escape into the ring channel 29.

Instead of the simple oval shape of the circuit illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, a circuit interrupted between the points 4 and 5 may be employed according to Fig. 10, where the auxiliary liquid is conveyed from outside through tionary guide-wheel 5-6, while the liquid leaving the rotor at the point 4 may be received by a discharge pipe 16. stream of liquid can be conducted into and out of the turbine, or the pipes 15 and 16.

may be connected by a by-pass or a tank for obtaining constant circulation of the same liquid, as will easily be understood. This arrangement is especially useful when a number of turbines of the kind described are connected in series, as represented in Figs. 11 and 12. 1

-In Fig. 11 three guide-wheels 21, 21*, 21 and three rotating turbine-wheels 20, 20",

' 20 of the construction-herebefore described are provided and passed through, the one set after the other, by the liquid. As illustrated in Fig. 12 the auxiliary liquid Y hich has been operative in the guide-whee 25,

-25 25 and turbine-wheels 26, 26, 26 is led backfrom the wheel 26 to the'wheel 25* by a central tube 28 encircling the shaft -7.

' 'A common exhaust 10 can be provided, if so preferred.

- [be burnt gases may escape, after having transmitted their energy, or they can after their partial expansion be admitted to a second turbine of the same construction or to a low-pressure steam-turbine of any well known type, where the remaining energy is utilized.

' As illustrated in Fig. 15, for this purpose.

" it is preferable to admit the gases-mto the engine hereinbefore described with a high any known construction, for

. the pipe or bend. 15 into the sta Thus a resented in the upper 'or bent with fluid may be used with high pressure, so

that further expansion of 'the gas will be possible. In the construction shown in Fig.

15 the gases collected in the exhaust chambers 98 of two gas turbines are led by means of pipes 100 into a low pressure turbine of drum-shaped .turbine 99 operating without an auxiliary liquid.

The supply of gas and air can also be effected by the sucking-action of the circulating auxiliary liquid, for instance, at 6 or 1 in Fig. 2, or with the help of suitable air and gas channels 12 and 14 or through special supply-pumps orthe like'of any type. '1 he introduction of the gases into the stream of liquid takes place inside the guide-member wheel at 5 or 6 (Fig. 2) or at the connection of the guide-member wheel and the rotating-member Zart (6 1 Fig. 1), for example, by constru, ing the separating walls or blades of the'guide-wheel 5 to 6 hollow (12 and 14 Fig. 5). In this case air or gas enters the hollow spaces of the blades of the guide-wheel and is distributed through slits or recesses 17 at the ends of the blades into the stream of liquid. The guide-wheel can be so arranged that the blades or their hollow are alternately connected with the gasand air channels 14 and 12. It is preferable to introduce gas and air at different places, in order to have them compressed separately before combustion.

The shape of the different channels is rephalf of Fig. 3 for the rotating-member part and in the lower half thereof for the guide-member wheel; the sections are in both cases seen from the left in the Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 shows thechan-- nels of the rotating-member part looking from outsidetoward the axle. The illustrated form of channels-is suitable for high numbers of revolutions and'high pressures. For obtaining particular effects or smaller pressures, the channels can be more radial as' in water turbines and pumps. Figs. 3 and 4 make it evident how the gases escaping at 10 in Fig. 1 can be led between the various channels through suitable spaces or openings into an exhaust chamber 98 (F. 2) or into the atmosphere.

Fig. 3 "shows above in the middle a section on the line ab of Fig. 4 perpendicular to the axle through the combustionchamber 8 and the channel 2 to 3 lying around it. The combustion-chamber can, of

course, be provided on its sides and toward the axle with a cooling-mantle fed by the example a respect to the rotation forward I auxiliary liquid flowing around it and its inner walls are preferably lined with a heat-insulating material 8 (Fig. 16). In Figs. 3 and 4 the combustion-chambers are .illustrated as separated from each other;

. the pressure-is everywhere equal.

they can however form a continuous circumfe rential hollow ring (Fig. 16) so that In the case of separate chambers small arched connection-pipes 8 can be used. (Figs. 3 and {L in dot-ted lines).

The rotor may be made either as a smooth hollow-cast body (Fig. 2) in which walls for the formations of channels are cast, or

the inner part alone can be built as a hollow-cast body, While the outer radiating channels of any convenient cross-section together with the combustion-chambers are attached thereto by screws, wedges or the like, either singly or in groups. This arrangement is shown by way of example in Figs. 13 and 14; in which the guide-wheel tubes 73 and 74: for the outwardly and inwardly leading branches are attached to the channels formed in the central body 72, while the outer ends of said tubes extend into and areconnected to a ring like body 75 provided with the outer chamiels 23 ofthe circuit and the combustionchamber 8. In order that the losses by windage workshall not be too high, a smooth thincovering 76' with exhaust-slits can be mounted to encircle the rotor.

At any places ofthe circuit the channels can be divided by lengthwise arranged partitions into .two or more parallel channels, in order to better conduct the current, where "the gases have a very highvolume. The division of the channels into a number of channels 37 of small width or separate pipes isillustrated in Fig. 8. The object of this construction is to guide the bubbles which are separated the onefrom the other in the 'small pipes by water-plungers. Thus, the

mixture is maintained.

'As shown in Fig. 1 the admisslon opening of the combustion chamber 8 at 2 is radial,

so that the centrifugal force will separate the gases from the auxiliary fluid. Partitions can be arranged forming two cham-.

- hers-8 and 44, as illustrated-in Fig. 9, in

order to secure the said separation and to prevent the auxiliary fluid from entering the'combustion-chamber 8 pro er. The sai admission opening can also e given any suitable width, as represented in Figs. 13

and 16 which will cause the formation of a large level and thus facilitate separation of.

the gases from theauxiliary liquid.

F i 6 shows two gas-turbines arranged .sidey-side'upon. the same shaft and connected with one another at a suitable place,

2. 9., as represented, byrthe outward-leading branches 1 to 2 of the rotating-member part, or on the inward-leading branches 3 to 4, or

, through the guide-member wheels 5 to '6.

The admission of gas and air can take place either in one circuit (Fi 6) or by symmetrical arrangement in 0th guide member wheels. The one turbine can be made disconnectible' 'or inoperative .by means of closing apparatus or valves, such as slides as known in water-turbines and which are displaceable in the joints between the rotor and the guide-wheel, so as to prevent circulation in the circuit. 1

The exhaust of the expanded gases can take place through passages arranged near I the axle or at any other suitable place, instead of through the perforations 10, as the bubbles will assemble themselves at the place of lowest pressure in the channel. In

tition catches the water and carries it backthrough a clearance or openings into the circuit. Several similar partitions 91 with various outlets for the gases can be provided (Fig. 7) for collecting the .water' which is then led back through pipes 92 or 93 into the channels 1 to 2 or 3 to trespectively.

The guide-member wheel 5 to Gmay be arranged rotary in opposite direction, instead of stationary, as known in steam-turbines with oppositely rotating bucket-wheels.

As an auxiliary liquid, besides water and sea-water, certain liquids are particularly suitable, especially such liquids which have a very 'high boiling-point, a high specificweight, and a very low coefiicient of heat ab- Y sorption and small internal friction. A high.

specific weight gives very high centrifugal force andtherefore very high pressure in the combustion-chamber (for example, solutions of salts, organic liquids, such as tetrabromacetylene uicksilver). The transmission of warmth rom the glowing bubbles can be strongly reduced by hot oils with a high boiling-point.

It is preferable to make use of. the aux iliary liquids atas high a temperature as possible, in order to decrease the transmis- 'sion. of heat at the high temperatures. If

the auxiliary liquid'is at a higher tempera time than its boiling point, a part of it evaporates into the outblown gases in the exhaust chamber and is carried away with them. If

necessary the evaporated auxiliary liquid can be recovered by a condenser of a convenient construction through which the ex haust gases pass. r With oil-turbines the oil itself can be used. at a high temperature as auxiliary liquid, the... corresponding compressed air 1 simply mixed with it; by the use of some igniter the inflammation can be procured 1n the combustion-chamber. 'The' air burns then to a certain extent in oil, and the evaporating unburnt oil must, of course, be saved by condensation.

An intermittent admission of gas and air may take place, for the purpose of producing a pulsatory operation which will have a certain influence on the dimension and the movement of the bubbles.

The engineabove described can also be employed as a generator of fluid under high pressure; in this case part of the auxiliary fluid is discharged and collected in an accumulator or utilized directly. This effect may be obtained besides the generation of power. A type adapted for this purpose has been described inconnection with Fig. 10.

The engine can be started by the admission of air or fluid under high pressure, un-

' til the turbine-Wheel attains the required number of revolutions, or the turbine wheel or the guide-member may be rotated directly in opposite direction so that the circulation of the auxiliary fluid is caused.

This invention may be performed in -dif-' ferent ways of which several examples of embodiments have been represented in the drawings' I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the illustrated construction, but what. I broadly claim as my invention, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a gas-turbine for the purposes hereinbefore described, the combination with a guide-member, of a turbine-wheel having a series of blades mounted thereon and rotary relatively'to said guide member, a plurality of inclosed combustion chambers carried by and rotary with the blades, and an auxiliary fluid circulating in the said guide and turbine-wheel.

2. In a gas-turbine, the combination with a rotary turbine-wheel having a series of blades mounted thereon, of a stationary guide-member, the said turbine wheel and guide member forming a closed circuit, in-

closed combustion-chambers for the drivingmedium carried by the blades, and an aux.. iary fluid circulating in said circuit.

In a gas-turbine, the combination with a rotary turbine-wheel provided with a.

series of blades, each of said blades haw ingan inclosed combustion-chamber formed thereon, of a guide-member, the said turbine wheel and guide member constituting .a

.closed circuit which is in open connection with the combustion-chambers, and an auxiliary fluid circulating in said circuit..

4. In agas turbine,'the combination with a rotary turbine wheel having .a series of blades mounted thereon, of a guide member, said wheel and guide member forming a closed circuit in the shape of a hollow ring by the continuity of their channels, inclosed a turbine-Wheel provided with a series of blades, a plurality of said blades having an inclosed combustion-chamber rotary therewith, of a guide-member, an auxiliary fluid circulating in said wheel and guide member,

and admissionand exhaust-passages in said wheel and guide member for the driving medium.

I 6. In a gas-turbine, the combination with a guide-member, of a rotary turbine-wheel, having a branch adapted to compress the driving medium, an inclosed combustionchamber carried by and rotary with said turbine wheel, and a branch adapted to receive the driving impulse, and an auxiliary, fluid circulating in said wheel and guide member and capable of being mixed with the driving medium.

7. In a gas-turbine, the combination with a guide member, of a rotary turbinenvheel encircling the guide-member, a combustionchamber formed on the turbine-wheel near its periphery, an auxiliary fluid, and means for exhausting and admitting part of said fluid for cooling purposes.

8. In a gas-turbine, the combination with a guide member, of a turbine-wheel, said wheel and guide member forming a closed circuit, an auxiliary fluid circulating in said circuit, a combustion-chamber formed on the inner side of the turbine-wheel near its periphery, and means for admitting to, and exhausting the driving medium ,from the auxiliary fluid.

9. In a gas-turbine, the combination with.

a turbine-wheel having a series of turbine blades-mounted thereon, of inclosed combustion chambers carried by and rotary with 7 said turbine blades and means whereby an auxiliary fluid may be circulated in said turbine wheel.

10. In a gas-turbine, the combination with a rotary turbine-wheel having a series of turbine blades mounted. thereon, and inclosed combustion chambers carried by said blades, of a stationary guide member, the said wheel and member being channeled to form a closed circuit.

11. In a gas-turbine, the combination with a rotary turbine-wheel having a .series of turbine blades mounted thereon, and in.- closed combustion chambers carried by said blades, of a stationary guide member, the said wheel and member being channeled to circulating in said circuit.

12. In a gas-turbine, the combination with a turbine-wheel having a series of turbine blades mounted thereon, of inclosed comform a closed circuit, and-an auxiliary fluid bustion chambers carried by and rotary with said turbine blades, and an auxiliary driving fluid circulating in said turbine-wheel.

13. In agas-turbine, the combination with a rotary turbine-wheel having, a series of turbine blades mounted thereon, and in closed combustion chambers carried by said blades, of a stationary guide member, the said wheel and member being channeled to form a closed circuit, said closed circuit belng 1n communicatlon with the combustion chamber. v

14. In a gas-turbine, the combination with a guide-member, of a turbine-wheel having a series of turbine blades mounted thereon,

turbine-wheel having a combustion-chamber, of a guide-member, and an auxiliary liquid constantly circulating in said wheel and member, and capable of being mixed with a driving medium admitted to the circuit, means for compressingand delivering 'mixtureto the 'said combustion-chamber, to

be further mixed with the combustion-gases and energized by the same, so as to operate the turbine wheel by the expansion of the mixture, and to "exhaust the combustiongases.

16. In a gas turbine, the combination with a turbine wheel, of an inclosed combustion chamber carried by'said wheel a guide member; said Wheel and guide meinber being constructed to form a closed circuit, and

an auxiliary ,fluid circulating in said cir-' cuit.

name to this specification in the presence of two subscrlbing witnesses.

)HERMANN FGTTINGER.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS R. STE ART, CHARLES A. HALLEY, Jr.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 

